Gas-generator.



L. P. SE'BILLE.

GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION men AUG-28.1916.

1,230,803. Patented June 19, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

L. P. SEIBILLE.

GAS GENERA TOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-28| 1916 1,230,803. I Patented June 19, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

L. P. SEBIILLE.

GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.28| 1916.

1 ,230,803. Patented June 19, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

nu ma Qwuemtoz Wiiwemo LEO PAUL SEBILLE, 0F PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

GAS-GENERATOR.

Application filed August 28, 1916.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, Lno PAUL SIiBILLE, a. citizen of the United States, and resident of the city of Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Generators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to gas generating apparatus employed for producing oxygen and hydrogen for commercial purposes by the electrolytic decomposition of water.

One object of the invention is to provide simpl and practical means whereby the pressure on both sides of the generator may be balanced automatically.

A further object of the invention is to provide a double means which is that of the pair of automatically actuated valves and also of an automatically actuated diaphragm, whereby the pressure on opposite sides of the system may be maintained automatically balanced.

A further object of the invention is to so construct said pressure controlling means that they also are positive in their action to prevent any mixture of the two gases in the separate storage tanks.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby when the gases are generated faster than is required for immediate use they are automatically compressed in high pressure receptacles.

The invention further consists in the provision of means on the separating plates or diaphragms in the generator whereby the middle portion of each is supported in a central position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means in said generator for automatically testing and showing at all times the exact purity of the gas in the system, said tester being provided with means whereby if any leakage from one side to the other is occurring, the pipes leading to the containers are closed automatically and the gases discharged into the air until the diificulty is remedied.

With these and other objects in View. the

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 19, 1917.

Serial No. 117,132.

invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrat ng my mproved gas generating plant.

F1 2 IS an elevation of the gas compressing cylinder.

Fig. 3- is a View partly in section showing my double means of controlling the balancing of the pressures in the diiferent sides of the system, which means also prevents the passage of the gas from one side to the other in the system.

Fig. 4- is a perspective view of one of the middle plates of which the generator is constructed.

Fig. 5- is a perspective view of one of the diaphragms which is held between the plates of the generator.

Fig. (3- is a section showing the electrode and the gas opening on one side of the plate thrcugh which one of the gases passes also showing the liquid passageway and the openings on both sides of the plate through which the electrolyte passes.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating my automatic safety device, attached to the generating system for indicating a mixture of the gases it such should occur and to automatically shut off the flow of gas from the generator and to also shut oft the whole system from the containers before a mixture of the two gases could possibly reach the point of damage.

It is understood that the broad objects of my present invention are to provide a gas generating system which is efficient in its action, and one in which it is impossible for the gases to become mixed to a dangerous degree, and also to provide means for indicating at all times the condition of the gases so that any irregularity in them may at once be corrected, either automatically, or by the action of an attendant.

Referring to the drawings, 10 and 11 designate two separate generators, which are herein shown as connected together by the pipes 12, 13 and 14, which pipes are supplied with suitable valves 15 and 16, whereby either one of said generators may be operated independent of the other or both may be connected to be operated ointly if desired. Each of these generators is constructed of a plurality of plates 17 such as best illustrated in Flg. 4, the same being preferably in a circular form for the purpose of simplifying the construction and facilitating the assembling of the parts and to easily stand the pressure at which the gases are generated.

Between each of these plates is mounted the usual diaphragm 18 of asbestos or other suitable material, see Figs. 5 and 6.

1 have provided a raised boss or projection 19 on one or both sides of the center of each of these diaphragms, said boss being of sufiicient thickness to contact with the center of the plate as illustrated in Fig. 6 for the purpose of supporting the middle portion of the diaphragm to prevent it from buckling and closing or obstructing the diffcrent sections of the electrodes while the system is in action.

The difierent electrodes are constructed substantially in the manner described in my co-pending patent application Serial No. 104092 filed June 16, 1916, each being provided with a passageway 22 for the reception and conducting of one of the gases and a separate passageway 23 for the reception and conducting away of the other gas. One of the electrodes is provided with an opening 24 to the passageway 22 and the next electrode being provided with another passageway (not shown) communicating with the opening 23.

A single passageway 25 communicating with all of the chambers of the electrodes through which the electrolyte is admitted to the'gas forming chambers. Each of these plates with its diaphragm constitutes a unit and all of the units are assembled side by side and are bolted together between the heads or end plates 20 by means of the insulated rods 21. Water is supplied to the system' from the tanks 112 and 113 through pipes 114 and 115, the pipes 116 and 117 being for the purpose of admitting gas pressure to the tanks for the purpose of equalizing the pressure therein.

As the gases form in the generator the hydrogen passes out through the opening 22 into the pipe 13 thence to the float chamber 26 and up through the valve opening 27 into the diaphragm chamber 28, which chamber is divided by a flexible diaphragm 33. From here, if not obstructed by the position of this diaphragm, it passes out through pipe 29 into the tank 30. The oxygen is generated simultaneously on the other side of the system and passes out through the nasopca opening 23 into the pipe 14 from which it enters the float chamber 31'and then passes up through the valve opening 32 into the opposite side of the above-mentioned diaphragm chamber 28 from here, when. not prevented by the position of the diaphragm it passes through pipe 34 into the storage tank 35. These tanks are designed especially for receiving the gases direct as generated.

When, however, the gas is generated faster than used and rises in the tank above a predetermined pressure, the gases pass out through the pipes 38 and 39 to their respective compressing cylinders 40 and 41. Each of these cylinders as illustrated in Fig. 2 is provided with a spring operated pressure control valve 42 so that when the pressure in the low pressure tank reaches a predetermined value the gas is admitted through this pressure tank. This tank as shown in Fig. 1, is closed and has a rod 43 extending lengthwise through it, on which rod are collars 44 and 45 at its upper and lower ends, respectively.

A float 46 is also mounted in this cylinder and is adapted to slide on the rod 43, the upper end 47 of this rod is connected to the contact arm 48, presently described, and this end is also connected to the counter balanceweight 49. through the cord 50 which is drawn over the pulleys 51.

To the lower end of this cylinder is connected a pipe 52 which leads through the two-way valve 63 and pipe 53 to the open water storage tank 54. This valve 63 also controls the communication through the pipe 55 to the pump 56, which pump also communicates with the bottom of this storage tank through the pipe 57.

The contact arm 48 on the upper end of rod 43 when drawn downward by means of the float 46, bringing up against the collar 45 on the rod 43 causes the end of this arm the same through pipes 55, valve 63 and,

pipe 52 into the compressing cylinder 41. As the water is pumped into this cylinder the float 46 therein rises, which action causes valve 42 to close and also causes valve 65 to open, whereby the water as forced into this cylinder drives the gas upward and out through the pipe 66 into the high pressure storage tank 67 In order to prevent moisture being carried.

over by the gases into the storage tank, I

have provided a small receptacle 68 connected to this pipe (36 whereby the gas in passing thcrethrough drops this moisture before passing on and after the liquid is raised a certain amount in this drying receptacle, the float valve ()9 rises and permits the same to be automatically discharged therefrom.

When the float it; rises to the top of this cylinder 41, it engages the collar 44 and so raises the rod ill-and the contact arm -18 to break the first mentioned circuit and complete another circuit through the wires 59 and T3 to again energize the solenoids 61 to move in the opposite direction and cause the valve 63 to close communication with the pump and open communication with the tank .34 through pipe 53 and also shut off the motor and the pump. The water in the cylinder is now ready to be driven out through the pipes 52 and 53 into the storage tank 54 by another supply of gases again entering from the low pressure storage tank through the pipe 39. This operation is repeated automatically and so takes care of the excess gas in the tank 35 which receives the "as direct from the generator.

I have shown and described in detail the operation of compressing gas on one side of the system, which apparatus and operation are exactly duplicated on the opposite side of the system and will not therefore require a detail description, it being sufficient to state that to the cylinder the water pressure is admitted through the pipe which sepa rates the float 71 therein to compress the gas into the high pressure storage tank 72.

A feature of my present invention is the provision of simple and etlective means adapted to automatically prevent the mixing of the two gases to an excessive or dangerous degree. This device is applied to the hydrogen side of the system and is connected to the pipe 29 at the point 73, which pipe leads through a usual drying apparatus 74, pipe 75 and reducing valve 76. After leaving this valve the gas is conducted through the pipe 77 into the gas balloon 78. The pressure of the gas after passing through the reducing valve is indicated by the graduated tube 79 into which the water from the tank 80 is forced.

it is well known that the pure hydrogen gas has a certain definite lifting power, which lifting power is reduced in proportion to the mixture of oxygen therewith, therefore when pure hydrogen gas enters the balloon, the same is inflated to an extent necessary to raise the contact pin 81 to complete the circuit through the arm 82 and wire 83 through the solenoid 84 back through the wire 85, which action energizes this solenoid to move the two-way valves 86 and 87 and open the entrance to their respective tanks.

l *hen, however, the hydrogen has become mixed with a certain percentage of oxygen this balloon will not be inflated to an extent necessary to raise the pin 81 but will permit the same to drop and make a connection through the mercury cup 88 and wire 89 to energize the solenoid 90, which causes the same to move and close the valves against gas entrance to the receptacles and open the same to discharge the gas to the open air.

The pressure in this apparatus can be regulated as desired uniformly.

In some cases it is found of advantage to break the main circuit to the generator and so positively stop the operation of the plant against further action, if the percentage of the mixture should be too great.

To accomplish this in a simple and practical way, I have provided a burner 91 which is supplied by gas from a balloon, which burner is constantly acting upon the electrical couple 92 connected to the pyrcmeter 93. The current generated by the heat from the flame is in direct proportion to the mixture of the gases, therefore when the gas is pure it shows a direct reading on the pyrometer of a 100 per cent. purity, but as the oxygen becomes mixed with hydrogen the efi'ect of the current generated by the heat increases proportionally, whichproportion is indicated directly upon the pyrometer.

When the mixture reaches a point which becomes too objectionable, the indicating hand of the pyrometer contacts with the terminals 94. and 95 and completes the circuit through the wires 85 and 96 to the solenoid 97. which acts upon the armature 98 withdrawing it from the support of the switch 99 to break the circuit between the main wires 100 and 101 and so preventing further action of the apparatus until looked after by the attendant.

It will be noted that by the use of this pyrometer that an attendant may at all times observe the purity of the gas and so control by hand if desired the operation of the apparatus whether the automatic mechanism is working or not.

it is found in practice that when the generator is working at a high temperature that the heat gases have a tendency to carry a certain percentage of moisture and in order to cause these gases to drop this moisture, l have provided a cooling system which surrounds the pipes Which conduct the gases from the generator to the receptacle, one construction of which is shown in Fig. 3 in which jackets 103 and 104 are placed about the conductor pipes, the Water being admitted from the water main, pump or any other desired source through pipe 105 through these jackets and out through pipe 106.

A feature of the arrangement of the piping of my system is that the water as separated from the gas may be drained back through the pipes 110 and ill-into the float chambers 26 and 31 by gravity action, which arrangement is clearly shown in Fig. 3.

The 0 eration of float actuated needle valves 10 and 108 is fully illustrated in my copending patent application Serial No. 104092, filed June 16, 1916, the dlaphragm being employed to operate in connection with said valves is for the purpose of greater efliciency and safety of action in the operation of the system. the action being that when the pressure in one side of the system rises a predetermined amount above that in the other side of the system, the diaphragm 33 will move to the low pressure side and close the outlet opening, until such time as the pressure is raised suiiiciently in that side to again balance that in the other side, when the diaphragm again returns to normal position, permitting the flow to both receptacles.

It is found in practice to be of advantage to apply a compound in the pressure cylinder which will float upon the water to prevent the gas while under pressure from dissolution in the water or a loose piston might be employed in this cylinder to accomplish this purpose if desired.

The plant is extremely simple in construction and may be readily assembled and taken apart for inspection and repairs.

By using water for compressing the gases as-is done in my high pressure system the water acts upon the gases to cool them and so obviates the necessity of jacketing the gas conductors to obtain this cooling effect.

I have illustrated and described one embodiment of my invention and the terms employed are used in a generic sense and not for the purpose of limitation, the details of construction of the apparatus may be changed without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined bv the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a gas generating apparatus, means for generatlng oxygen and hydrogen, contalners for receiving the gases as generated, and means including a diaphragm actuated by the difference in pressures in said containers for controlling the flow of gas from sald generator to said containers.

2. In a gas generating apparatus, means for generating oxygen and hydrogen gases, containers for receiving the separate gases as generated, a diaphragm containing chambers through which the gases pass on their way to their respective receptacles, and means whereby a predetermined difference of pressure in one side of the system causes said diaphragm to close the gas entrance to the opposite container until a balancing pressure has again been raised on that side.

3. In a gas "generating apparatus, means assesses for generating oxygen and hydrogen, means for cooling the gases passing from the gen erator, and means for conducting the moisture of condensation from said cooled gases back into the system.

4- In a gas generating system, means for generating oxygen and hydrogen gases, means for keeping the different gases separated in the system, means for automatically equalizing the pressures of the gases on both sides of the system, and means for automatically compressing the gases to a pressure higher than that originally generated.

5. In a gas generating system, means for generating oxygen and hydrogen gases, means for preventing a mixing of the gases in the system, and means including a body of water for compressing said gases to a pressure higher than that originally generated.

6. In a gas generating system, means for generating oxygen and hydrogen gases, means including a body of water, and a pump for moving said body to compress said gases.

7. In a gas generating system, means for generating oxygen and hydrogen gases, receptacles for storing said ases under the generated pressure, means tor substantially equalizing the pressures in said receptacles, high pressure tanks and float controlled means for receiving the gas from said receptacles and forcmg the same into said high pressure tank at a greatly increased pressure.

8. In a gas generating system, means for generating oxygen and hydrogen gases, a water pressure receptacle into which the gas is conducted, means whereby the entrance of the gas causes the Water therein to be dischar ed, a gas storage receptacle, and means for returning the water under pres sure to drive the gas under pressure into said storage receptacle.

9. In a gas generating system, means for generating oxygen and hydrogen gases, a water pressure receptacle into which the gas is conducted, means whereby the entrance of the gas causes the water therein to be discharged, a gas storage receptacle and a pump for forcing the water back into the cylinder to drive the gas out under pressure into said storage receptacle.

10. In a gas generating system, means for generating oxygen and hydrogen gases, a water pressure receptacle, a float therein, means for conducting the gas into said receptacle after having reached a predetermined pressure, means whereby the inflow of gas to said receptacle drives the water therefrom, a pump, a pressure tank, and means whereby the action of said float by the dropping of the water automatically starts said pump to return the water under pressure and force the gas from the receptacle into said tank.

11. In a gas generating system, means for generating oxygen and hydrogen gases, 2. water pressure receptacle, a fioat therein, means for conducting the gas into said receptacle after having reached a predetermined pressure, means whereby the inflow of gas to said receptacle drives the Water therefrom, a pump, a pressure tank, and means whereby the action of said float by the dropping of the Water automatically starts said pump to return the water under pressure and force the gas from the receptacle into said tank, and means whereby the action of the float by the raising of the water a predetermined height stops the pump and opens a valve to permit the water to be again discharged from said receptacle by the inflow or gas.

12. In a gas generating system,.n1eans for generating oxygen and hydrogen gases, receptacles for the difi'erent gases, and means for automatically shutting oil the flow to said receptacle if the'two gases should become mixed.

13. In a gas generating system, means for generating oxygen and hydrogen gases, re ceptacles for the difierent gases, and means controlled by the action of the gases for automatically shutting 0d the flow to said receptacles if the two gases should become mixed a predetermined amount.

14. In a gas generating system, means for generating oxygen and hydrogen gases, receptacles for the different gases, means controlled by the action of the gases, for automatically stopping the action of the generating system before the two gases form an explosive mixture.

15. In a gas generating system, means for generating oxygen and hydrogen gases, receptacles for receiving the different gases as generated, and means controlled by the temperature of the flame of the burning gases for controlling the actionof the systern.

16. In a gas generating system, means for generating oxygen and hydrogen gases, receptacles for the difierent gases, means controlled by the action of the gases for automatically shutting ed the flow to said receptacles if the two gases should become mixed a predetermined amount and reestablishing the flow when the desired purity has been restored.

In testimony whereof I afix my signature in presence of a Witness.

LEO PAUL SEEILLE.

Witness:

Howann E. Banmw. 

